Mum Says She Felt “Invisible” After No One Offered a Seat While Breastfeeding on the Tube

A mother has spoken about an evening journey on the London Tube where she claims she was not offered a seat, leaving her to breastfeed her two-month-old baby while standing. The mum said the experience made her feel “invisible” and left her frustrated by what she described as a lack of basic awareness from fellow passengers.

What Happened on the Train
Samantha Holmes, 29, a registered nurse from Nottinghamshire, was travelling with her husband Jarred, 35, and their baby daughter Celine. She said the incident happened at around 7pm while they were on their way back on the Tube.

Key details she described include:

• Her baby was distressed, with trapped wind, and was “hysterical,” according to Samantha.
• Samantha said she expected someone might offer a priority seat once people noticed she was holding a very upset infant.
• She claims no one acknowledged her, so she decided she would have to feed her baby while standing.

“I Felt Invisible”
Samantha said trying to feed while standing was challenging and unsafe-feeling, especially on moving public transport.

She highlighted several concerns:

• Balancing while breastfeeding was difficult, particularly with a two-month-old.
• She said passengers appeared disengaged, with “heads down”, and she felt as though nobody could see her situation.
• She asked her husband to take a photo, saying she could not believe she had to feed while standing.

Samantha also noted that while she personally feels comfortable breastfeeding in public, the situation could affect others differently:

• She said it might discourage parents who feel nervous breastfeeding in public, potentially impacting their decision to continue.

Why the Moment Made Her Angry
Samantha said the experience made her “blood boil”, describing it as shocking that no one offered help when she was visibly struggling with a distressed baby.

Public Transport Seating Guidance
Information provided by Transport for London (TfL) states that:

• Public transport services have clearly marked priority seats for those who need them.
• If a priority seat is not available, passengers are advised to ask if someone will give up a seat.
• TfL also references optional badges such as “Please Offer Me a Seat” and “Baby on Board” to help people request seating when needed.

Key Takeaways

• The incident occurred around 7pm on the London Tube, during a crowded journey.
• Samantha says she had to breastfeed standing up because she was not offered a seat.
• She described feeling “invisible” and said the experience left her angry and disappointed.
• TfL guidance emphasizes priority seating, the option to ask for a seat, and the availability of support badges for passengers who need one.